Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-10-29

culture IN this district since my last report
is very gratifying. Two years ago the only
counties that made any pretensions toward
grape-growing were San Joaquin and
Fresno, while now the greatest interest is
taken IN yiticulture throughout the whole
san Joaquin valley, and there has been an
immense increase in the acreage both of
wine and raisin grapes, notably in Fresno
county.
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
1t has been impossible to obtain an ex-
act estimate Of the acreage planted in
vines IN san Joaquin county, for the reason
that the lands were long since divided into
comparatively small holdings, and as they
are almost universally fine and nearly all
well adapted to grape-growing, great
many small vineyards have been planted,
the exact acreage Of which has been i'm
possible to obtain. However, | consider
1000 acres low estimate, and | am
pleased to note in this connection that
nearly ali the vineyards that have been
planted in the past two years have been
planted in the very choicest varieties of
vines, the preference for wine grapes being
for the Tannet. Cabernet Sauvignon. Cab
ernet Frame, Mondeuse Nerdot, Malbecl.
+'L- htA-dIlts ! tLlL IJOGSElitl, rousseau
and Mataro for red wines, the Folle
Blanche, White Prolific, Boal and Colon
bar for white wines and braudles. For
table grapes, the Black Prince. Tokay,
Emperor and Black Femara, are almost
exclusively used.
/ would urge the planting OF resistant
stocks IN all cases, the extra expense being
amply repaid by permanency Of the vine
yard secured thereby.
PROSPECTS OF INCREASED ACREAGE.
1t Is probable that the coming winter
will see q large increase in the acreage OF
vines, as the profits derived from the in
dU~try in this section are very satisfactory,
the yield being phenomenally heavy and
the quality Of the product excellent. San
joaquin county Is so situated that both
sweet and dry wines can be produced. No
vineyards are planted in raisin grapes for
the reason that the season for driving is so
short - to make the venture hazardous.
TABLE GRAPES.
Tale grapes Of 4 quality mexcelled
are produced on the black lands around
Stockton, and Il considerable acreage Is de
voted 10 their culture These grapes are
mostly shipped to the Eastern markets,
and the profits to the growers are very
large. ! look for wonderful developments
in this branch of the industry. Lands
can be purchased at from $50 to $50 per
acre. according to location, and many of
our wheat farms will be subdivided and
sold at those figures during the coming
winter.
70 irrigation whatever is required for
the growth of the vine in most parts of
san joaquin county, and wherever it is
practiced unnecessarily, it is at the expense
Of the quality Of the product.
sTANIsLAUs AND MERGED COUNTIES.
Stanislaus and MERGED counties are lust
awakening to the Importance of grape
growing to the future developments of
their lands. Both these counties contain
small acreage of old vines and a more con-
siderable acreage of vines of recent planta-
ton. Good wines have been made in both
counties, and with the better varieties of
vines now being planted we may reasona-
bly, expect an improvement in the product.
Raisins of excellent quality will undoubt-
edlv be produced, as the warm dry nights
woGld seem especially adapted to the
curing Of the grape. Both Of these coun-
ties contain countless acres of fine land,
all of which has been devoted to wheat
growing.
Several irrigation schemes are assuming
definite shape, and large amount Of land
viii soon be placed ON the market. 1t is
probable that both Stanislaus and MERGED
counties Will make the same rapid ad-
vancement that has been made in the more
southern part Of Fresno,
FRESNO COUNTY.
Ns county in the district can show such
wonderful development in so short a time as
Fresno. At the time of my last report the
acreage Of this county was placed at 800
acres, while now it will be seen from the
statistics appended to this report that
nearly $1,000 acres are planted in raisin
and wine grapes, Of which $500 acres are
in raisin grapes, the balance in wine grapes.
The profits from both branches of the in
dustry are satisfactory to the growers.
The vintage Of last season amounted to
about 100000 gallons of wine, nearly all
of which has been sold at remunerative
prices The vintage OF 1887 will be much
heavier, as a large acreage of young vines
viii Ice in bearing. \ large part of the
Young plant of Fresno county is devoted
exclusively to port, sherry and brandy
varieties, it being generally conceded that
the san joaquin valley will excel in these
products. Fresno county viii undoubtedly
bc the banner raisin-producing county OF
the State, the climate being exceedingly
well adapted to the curing of the grape.
THE RAIsIN INDUSTRY.
The raisin pack of 1856 was about $50,
600 boxes, and the amount will be mate
rally increased this season. The profits OF
the business are large and ii is one partic-
ularly attractive to people of limited
means, the heavy investments necessary to
the wine business not being required
Many growers sell their products to the
packers in the sweat boxes and realize 4
handsome income from Il small acreage of
vines An immense number of small
vineyards Will be planted this winter in
raisin grapes throughout Fresno county.
\ few years ago the only vineyards in
the county were in the immediate vicinity
of Fresno City, but lately large tracts Of
land both north and south have been
brought under irrigation and planted in
vines
The vineyards around Minturn and Ma
dera, in the northern part Of this county,
are devoted almost exclusively to wine
growing; NnlIe arOunu Fowler, selma ana
kingsburg, on the so..-h, the preference is
given to raisins. Appended to this report
viii be found a complete list of the vine
growers Of Fresno county, together with
the number of acres and varieties of vines
planted by each. Had it been practicable
/ should have made a similar list from the
other counties in my district, but the acre
age Of vines did not warrant the expendi-
ture which would have been required to
canvass such a large territory.
TULARE COUNTY.
Tuiare county is at last realizing the
fact that she has countless acres of fine
land well adapted to grape growing, but ii
is only within the past three years that
any important plantations have been made
There are probably 800 acres Of vines in
the county principally in raisin grapes
and as the conditions are similar, her
products Will undoubtedly equal those OF
Fresno in excellence
Kern county has also planted a consid-
cradle acreage of vineyard in the past few
years, and as a heavy immigration is pour
ing into the whole San Joaquin valley, il
will be but a short time before the Won
derful resources of this county will be
moro fully 1evalODed I2pparJinur tbf